Share this Story

Learn the Lost History of the Missouria Indians

ICTMN Staff

11/8/12

Author Michael Dickey will discuss his new book The People of the River’s Mouth: In Search of the Missouria Indians tonight during a program at the Missouri State Archives.

His book is the first to be published about the history and culture of the Missouria. "When first described by the Europeans in 1673, they numbered in the thousands; by 1804, when William Clark referred to them as 'once the most numerous nation in this part of the continent,' fewer than 400 Missouria remained," says a press release from Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan announcing the program. "Both the state of Missouri and the Missouri River are namesakes of this indigenous group, but little of their history is known today."

Dickey, administrator of the Arrow Rock State Historic Site in Arrow Rock, Missouri, uses archaeological and archival resources to examine the tribe's cultural traditions and to figure out what led to their decline as well as their removal to Oklahoma. Dickey uses testimony from members of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe to learn more about the beginnings of the Missouria.

This event is free and open to the public. It will begin at 7 p.m. at the Missouri State Archive, 600 West Main Street in Jefferson City. For more information contact Emily Luker by calling 573-526-5296 or emily.luker@sos.mo.gov.

You need to be logged in in order to post commentsPlease use the log in option at the bottom of this page